Cary outlines rules for tavern

CARY – Coleman’s in the Park now has rules the village hopes will allow the tavern to operate and be a better neighbor to nearby residents.

The Village Board earlier this week changed two ordinances to clarify what the bar can and can’t do.

The changes allow Coleman’s to have music on its deck, but at a limited volume.

Village Administrator Chris Clark said he and Police Chief Steven Casstevens walked the Coleman’s property. The music volume was set to what “we believe will be respectful of adjacent neighbors’ ability to have peace and quiet when music is on and folks are on the deck,” Clark said.

No alcohol can be consumed outside on the deck of establishments after 11 p.m. Sunday through Thursday, and after midnight Friday and Saturday, under the revised Class I Liquor License ordinance.

Coleman’s is allowed to have one beer/wine garden event a year, but will have to apply for it, which is an option for other liquor-license holders.

Under the outdoor seating ordinance, outdoor sports activities have to stop and lighting for them be turned off by 10 p.m. every day. Also, no alcohol is allowed in the areas where sports activities take place.

The changes in the ordinances were prompted by complaints about music coming from the bar in recent months.

Under the previous Class I liquor license ordinance, Coleman’s wasn’t allowed to have music on the deck. But under the outdoor seating ordinance, which is for establishments that serve food outside, music is allowed.

Owner Brett Coleman said there was confusion over whether he could have music on his deck.

In July, Coleman’s was ordered to pay the village $960 in fines and fees after police documented outdoor music being played, a violation of the tavern’s liquor license. Coleman paid the $960 levied by Mayor Tom Kierna, but appealed to the Illinois Liquor Control Commission.

With the ordinance changes, Coleman will drop the appeal, Clark said.

As part of the changes enacted Tuesday, the music provision was deleted in the Class I liquor license classification.

Coleman’s is the only bar in the village that has the Class I classification.